Herndon and Trainees Featured in EyeNet - The Power of Representation in Ophthalmology

Duke Glaucoma Division Chief and Professor of Ophthalmology, Leon W. Herndon Jr., MD was featured in the January issue of EyeNet after a picture of him and his trainees gained a lot of attention on social media. The inspiring picture captured Herndon's first experience in 25 years as an ophthalmologist with an all-Black trainee team in the OR. The team decided to take a picture to commemorate the historic moment. "With Black men making up less than 3% of US ophthalmologists, this much needed representation is hard to come by," said Duke Medical Student Nicholas A. Johnson. 

Pictured
  • Leon W. Herndon Jr., MD - Glaucoma Specialist
  • Dennis Akrobetu - Medical Student
  • Kevin Jackson, MD - Resident
  • Nicholas A. Johnson - Medical Student
  • Obinna Umunakwe, MD, PhD - Glaucoma Fellow

Duke Eye Center is proud to be a part of this amazing progress. We are committed to training the next generation of Black ophthalmologists as we work to foster an environment to promote a sense of belonging for all.

View the editorial here

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